Poetry makes its own pertinence, and a single stanza outweighs a book of prose. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Life loiters at the book's first page,-- Ah! could we turn the leaf. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Next to the originator of a good sentence is the first quoter of it. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The modernness of all good books seems to give men an existence as wide as man. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Men over forty are no judges of a book written in a new spirit. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
This book of Montaigne the world has endorsed by translating it into all tongues. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The rain has spoiled the farmer's day; Shall sorrow put my books away? Thereby are two days lost. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Neither is a dictionary a bad book to read. There is no can't in it, no excess of explanation, and it is… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The three practical rules, then, which I have to offer, are, --/ Never read a book that is not a year old./… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The colleges, while they provide us with libraries, furnish no professors of books; and I think no chair is so much needed. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“No book has worth by itself, but by the relation to what you have from many other books, it weighs.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
I cannot remember the books I've read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Be sure then to read no mean books. Shun the spawn of the press on the gossip of the hour. Do not… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
I should as soon think of swimming across Charles River, when I wish to go to Boston, as of reading all my… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
We over-estimate the conscience of our friend. His goodness seems better than our goodness, his nature finer, his temptations less. Everything that… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
We do not yet trust the unknown powers of thought. Whence came all these tools, inventions, book laws, parties, kingdoms? Out of… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“Everybody we know surrounds himself with a fine house, fine books, conservatory, gardens, equipage, and all manner of toys, as screens to… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
How much we forgive to those who yield us the rare spectacle of heroic manners! We will pardon them the want of… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Next to the originator of a good sentence is the first quoter of it. Many will read the book before one thinks… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Tis the good reader that makes the good book; in every book he finds passages which seem confidences or asides hidden from… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There are many virtues in books, but the essential value is the adding of knowledge to our stock by the record of… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Hence, instead of Man Thinking, we have the bookworm. Hence, the book-learned class, who value books, as such; not as related to… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
In the learned journal, in the influential newspaper, I discern no form; only some irresponsible shadow; oftener some monied corporation, or some… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There is a relation between the hours of our life and the centuries of time. As the air I breathe is drawn… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
When I read a good book, I wish my life were three thousand years long. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Be lord of a day, through wisdom and justice, and you can put up your history books. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Our books approach very slowly the things we most wish to know. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
We prize books, and they prize them most who are themselves wise. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Talent alone cannot make a writer. There must be a man behind the book. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
I may say it of our preposterous use of books,--He knew not what to do, and so he read. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
In the highest civilization the book is still the highest delight. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Every book is good to read which sets the reader in a working mood. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
“There is then creative reading as well as creative writing. When the mind is braced by labor and invention, the page of whatever book… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
Another success is the post-office, with its educating energy augmented by cheapness and guarded by a certain religious sentimentin mankind; so that the power… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
A child reminds us that playtime is an essential part of our daily routine. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
No man can be criticised but by a greater than he. Do not, then, read the reviews. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends, but they are imprisoned by an enchanter in these paper and leathern… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
